Intro to Psych Exam 1

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

Structuralism

Early approach focused on breaking mental processes into basic components using introspection.

Functionalism

Emphasized the purpose of consciousness and behavioroneshow they help individuals adapt.

Humanism

Perspective emphasizing personal growth, free will, and the human potential for self-actualization.

Cognitive Revolution

Shift in psychology that refocused attention on mental processes like thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Historical Psychologists

• Wundt 7 structuralism
• James 7 functionalism
• Freud 7 psychoanalysis
• Rogers & Maslow 7 humanism
• Watson & Skinner 7 behaviorism

Contemporary Branches of Psychology

Modern fields such as cognitive, biological, developmental, social, clinical, personality, and I/O psychology.

Scientific Method

A systematic process of gathering data, forming hypotheses, testing them, and drawing conclusions.

Case Study

An in-depth analysis of one individual or a small group.

Survey

Self-report method that gathers data from many people through questionnaires or interviews.

Longitudinal Study

Research that follows the same participants over long periods.

Cross-Sectional Study

Research that compares different age groups at a single point in time.

Correlation Is Not Causation

A relationship between variables does not mean one causes the other.

Requirements for Causation

An experimental design with controlled manipulation and random assignment.

Observational Research

Watching and recording behavior in a natural setting; + natural behavior,  no causation.

Correlational Research

Measures relationships between variables; + identifies strength/direction,  no causation.

Experimental Research

Manipulates variables to determine cause-and-effect; + can determine causation,  may lack realism.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable manipulated by the researcher.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable measured to assess the effect of the IV.

Reliability

The consistency of a measure.

Validity

The degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure.

Operational Definitions

Specific, measurable descriptions of variables that ensure replicability.

Research Bias

Systematic errors such as confirmation, sampling, or experimenter bias; reduced via randomization and blind procedures.

Research Ethics

Includes informed consent, confidentiality, minimal harm, justified deception, and required debriefing.

Genetics and Behavior

Genes influence brain development, traits, and behavior through interaction with the environment.

Phenotype vs. Genotype

• Genotype = genetic makeup
• Phenotype = observable traits
  Also includes trait and natural selection definitions.

Twin Studies

Compare identical and fraternal twins to separate genetic (nature) from environmental (nurture) influences.

Neuron Structures

Dendrites, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, terminal buttons, synapse.

Myelin

Fatty coating that increases the speed of neural transmission.

Polarization & Depolarization

• Polarization: resting state with negative charge
• Depolarization: positive ions enter, triggering an action potential

Electrochemical Communication

Electrical impulses travel down the axon; neurotransmitters are chemically released across the synapse.

Peripheral Nervous System Components

• Somatic: voluntary muscle control
• Autonomic: involuntary functions (sympathetic & parasympathetic)

Major Brain Structures

• Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital lobes
• Limbic system (emotion + memory)
• Hindbrain (basic life functions)